ModShack Stage 3 is IN and butt numbers are confirmed with a vwtool ->in depth review +race story
07-05-2005, 09:47 AM
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ModShack Stage 3 is IN and butt numbers are confirmed with a vwtool ->in depth review +race story
We all had talks about how great Steve's items are, so I decided to do some logs before and after stage 3 install. Purpose of these logs where primarily to fulfill my curiosity and to show some tangible benefits or lack there off, to people who are considering the same upgrades.
Base car is a 2001 TT 225. I previously installed an APR chip (stock/93/100/valet) a TTDA and a Hyperboost HX DV. There are NO other performance mods on the car. All numbers where logged with a VAGTOOL, but more on that later. Stage3 (as most here refer to full line of Steve's performance mods) consists of TTDA(prev. installed), 4bar fpr, BAMM and a BM(Boost Machine) as per instructions chip is recommended to take full advantage of stg3.
INSTALL:
The installation took about 30min. I purchased a brand new 2.0 VW MAF sensor to go into BAMM, largely because I don't want to bother with switching sensors when car goes into dealer for service. All went very smoothly. I first had BM shut off in order for the car to get used to BAMM and fpr. Drove for around 30 miles and then started playing with the BM. I didn't notice any increase in boost (even at full crank on BM) which got me worried, but Steve suggested that I may not be letting the car fully adapt to the newly installed parts and of course he was right. After letting the car adapt on 4 cranks (basic setting on BM) I started noticing the BM working. I slowly turned up the boost and stopped once the car was hitting 23psi and holding at 18-20. I then adjusted the creep and began logging the results.
RESULTS:
I used a VAG tool to log the time required to accelerate in 3'd gear from appx 2000rpm to 6500rpm. This type of measurement is debatable, but I believe that it is fairly correct at representing performance increase/decrease. I would not venture a HP analogy based on these numbers, but you should be able to clearly see where the most improvement was achieved. I did multiple runs in STOCK (with TTDA and DV), CHIPPED (with TTDA and DV) and full STAGE3. I noticed that with every group of runs, first run was the best since no heat soak was present. I fully pressed the accelerator at 2000rpm and let go at 6500, but I only selected period from 2200rpm to 6000rpm for this review because that selection doesn't depend on my ability to engage/disengage the accelerator pedal on exact 2000/6500 rpm mark.
The time was adjusted so that it begins at "0" when 2200 rpms are reached.
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/10954/stg3graph.jpg">
As you can see on the graph, the improvement is remarkable. In fact the difference in stock vs. chipped is very similar to that of chipped vs. stage3. Stage 3 shows improvement on the entire RPM range. From about 3200rpm stg3 improves over chipped at least as much as chipped over stock. Stock required appx 8.3s to get to 6Krpm, chip took appx.7.7s and stg3 did it at around 7s flat. Consider the fact that most "racing" takes place above 4K rpms and the benefit of this kit is easy to see.
Once thing this graph doesn't show is the fact that the car is much smoother and a lot more pleasant to drive. All in all STEVE you did a great job!!! It is also worth noting that I was a little to eager to log stg3 and hence my car probably wasn't fully adapted to the settings, so the difference in stg3 vs. chipped or stock might even be greater. It is also possible that I messed up in the readings or the car was better due to some other circumstances, but I double checked everything and I did multiple runs so I am very confident in the findings. I would invite anyone to do a similar experiment, just to prove or disprove my findings, but regardless of what we find...this thing is a definite improvement (in my case) and it ROCKS! The worst thing is that I'm already used to the newfound power, so now I WANT MORE!!! How bout an exhaust?!
PS: Raced a 330ci after the stage3 install. I raced one when the car was stock (just a TTDA) and I took him on the launch and could not improve my lead, but he couldn't gain on me either, he was right at my rear bumper. Raced one (4dr) with a chip and beat him, but had to work for it (good launch, and a slow but steady pull away). So when this 330ci coupe pulls near me at a light revving his engine (after my stg3 install)….I just couldn't help it. I didn't even slip the clutch…simply eased off the clutch and floored it. He got more then a body on me at launch, end of second gear I was right near his rear bumper and third I just blew past him. That third gear went from the slowest to one of the best…. but enough racing stories. (No birds cats or people where harmed during these races…..all was done safely on empty roads and late at night)
Base car is a 2001 TT 225. I previously installed an APR chip (stock/93/100/valet) a TTDA and a Hyperboost HX DV. There are NO other performance mods on the car. All numbers where logged with a VAGTOOL, but more on that later. Stage3 (as most here refer to full line of Steve's performance mods) consists of TTDA(prev. installed), 4bar fpr, BAMM and a BM(Boost Machine) as per instructions chip is recommended to take full advantage of stg3.
INSTALL:
The installation took about 30min. I purchased a brand new 2.0 VW MAF sensor to go into BAMM, largely because I don't want to bother with switching sensors when car goes into dealer for service. All went very smoothly. I first had BM shut off in order for the car to get used to BAMM and fpr. Drove for around 30 miles and then started playing with the BM. I didn't notice any increase in boost (even at full crank on BM) which got me worried, but Steve suggested that I may not be letting the car fully adapt to the newly installed parts and of course he was right. After letting the car adapt on 4 cranks (basic setting on BM) I started noticing the BM working. I slowly turned up the boost and stopped once the car was hitting 23psi and holding at 18-20. I then adjusted the creep and began logging the results.
RESULTS:
I used a VAG tool to log the time required to accelerate in 3'd gear from appx 2000rpm to 6500rpm. This type of measurement is debatable, but I believe that it is fairly correct at representing performance increase/decrease. I would not venture a HP analogy based on these numbers, but you should be able to clearly see where the most improvement was achieved. I did multiple runs in STOCK (with TTDA and DV), CHIPPED (with TTDA and DV) and full STAGE3. I noticed that with every group of runs, first run was the best since no heat soak was present. I fully pressed the accelerator at 2000rpm and let go at 6500, but I only selected period from 2200rpm to 6000rpm for this review because that selection doesn't depend on my ability to engage/disengage the accelerator pedal on exact 2000/6500 rpm mark.
The time was adjusted so that it begins at "0" when 2200 rpms are reached.
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/10954/stg3graph.jpg">
As you can see on the graph, the improvement is remarkable. In fact the difference in stock vs. chipped is very similar to that of chipped vs. stage3. Stage 3 shows improvement on the entire RPM range. From about 3200rpm stg3 improves over chipped at least as much as chipped over stock. Stock required appx 8.3s to get to 6Krpm, chip took appx.7.7s and stg3 did it at around 7s flat. Consider the fact that most "racing" takes place above 4K rpms and the benefit of this kit is easy to see.
Once thing this graph doesn't show is the fact that the car is much smoother and a lot more pleasant to drive. All in all STEVE you did a great job!!! It is also worth noting that I was a little to eager to log stg3 and hence my car probably wasn't fully adapted to the settings, so the difference in stg3 vs. chipped or stock might even be greater. It is also possible that I messed up in the readings or the car was better due to some other circumstances, but I double checked everything and I did multiple runs so I am very confident in the findings. I would invite anyone to do a similar experiment, just to prove or disprove my findings, but regardless of what we find...this thing is a definite improvement (in my case) and it ROCKS! The worst thing is that I'm already used to the newfound power, so now I WANT MORE!!! How bout an exhaust?!
PS: Raced a 330ci after the stage3 install. I raced one when the car was stock (just a TTDA) and I took him on the launch and could not improve my lead, but he couldn't gain on me either, he was right at my rear bumper. Raced one (4dr) with a chip and beat him, but had to work for it (good launch, and a slow but steady pull away). So when this 330ci coupe pulls near me at a light revving his engine (after my stg3 install)….I just couldn't help it. I didn't even slip the clutch…simply eased off the clutch and floored it. He got more then a body on me at launch, end of second gear I was right near his rear bumper and third I just blew past him. That third gear went from the slowest to one of the best…. but enough racing stories. (No birds cats or people where harmed during these races…..all was done safely on empty roads and late at night)
07-05-2005, 09:58 AM
#2
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Nice review. I think whats nice w/Steve's items is that they're not
reliant on other mods. They work by themselves, but more so with other mods. Keep moddin'.
07-05-2005, 10:58 AM
#7
Nice Paul.....One of the best write-ups yet...>>
on the "System" and great results too! We all knew it worked, just not how well.. Glad you're liking the new feel. I'd like to be able to link to this review if you don't mind!
Thanks!
Steve
Thanks!
Steve
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07-05-2005, 11:07 AM
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btw, not that anyone should try this, but the car has soooo much power, it now spins tires in second
with haldex disabled 
And I don't mean a little chirp on gear change....I mean during normal acceleration....2'nd gear...let go of the clutch and floor it from 2000rpms....it will spin the tires when boost builds up and rpms approach 5K.
I was just fooling around with the haldex disable and noticed my tires letting go
And I don't mean a little chirp on gear change....I mean during normal acceleration....2'nd gear...let go of the clutch and floor it from 2000rpms....it will spin the tires when boost builds up and rpms approach 5K.
I was just fooling around with the haldex disable and noticed my tires letting go